Lifting mechanism for snowplows for motor vehicles



Sept. 29, 1931. WALTER 1,824,849

LIFTING MECHANISM FOR SNOWPLOWS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed April 18, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a c b P f l l h F gi ATTORNEY? Sept. 29, 1931. M. WALTER 9 LIFTING MECHANISM FOR SNOWPLOWS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed April 18. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fly. 3

: I l/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII LA ATTORNEYI Patented Sept. 29, 1931 LIFTING mEcHANIsm m; snowrLows i on Application filed April is,

This invention relates to improved power mechanism for raismg and lowering snow plows 011 motor VGlIlClGS'-- The principal ob]ect of the invention isto provide improved power mechanism un-' der the control of the operator for raising and lowering the plow quickly and con- 7 veniently by means which are simple and certain in operation. This object of the inio vention is accomplished in the preferred embodiment by means of an electric motor, the circuit of which is controlled by the operator and the armature of which is geared, through reduction gearing, preferably of worm and wheel type, to a crank arm which revolves unidirectionally and is operatively connected to the plow. Rotation of the crank arm in one direction through 180 may raise the plow while con- :zo tinned rotation of the arm in the same direction may lower the plow. The mechanism for accomplishing this result is especially designed in the interestof lightness, compactness, accessibility and ruggedness so that it will best lenditself to the needs of motor vehicle practice. I

These and other objects of the invention will appear more particularly hereinafter in connection with the illustrated embodiment.

shown in the drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a plan view showing insomewhat conventional form a snow plowmounte ed at the front end of a motor vehicle and having the improved lifting 1 mechanism associated therewith.

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detailed side view, partly in Macaroni warren,

mechanism for raising and lowering the forwarderid-of,the 'plbw consists of an electric motor m, the circuit of which may be c0nnected to a battery b and controlled through switch 8. Reduction gearing in gear box 1" is operatively interposed between the armature of the motor and the crank arm a In order to effect a large reduction, of say .1 to 1000, with but few gears, a worm 7" is' mounted on the armature shaft m of the motor for drivin a worm wheel r on shaft 7' to which is xed a second worm rfor driving worm wheel 1' fixed to shaft 1. Arm a may be formed integral with shaft 1 and approximately at right angles thereto. Housing 1' is formed with a bearing 1" in which shaft 111/ isjournaled, and bearings 1' in which shaft 7- is journaled. A bracket 1" is formed in the housing carrying a bearing 1" cooperating with bearing 7 to journal the shaft m. p

In the operation of the above described de vice there is no need for an automatic cutout switch for the motor, as compared to the previously known 1 types of mechanism wherein a chain is wound on a drum, for s1 when the arm" a of the present construction has rotated 180 to its top point it will then automatically descend if the operator fails to open the switch 8; Any chance of breakage due to winding the chain too tight is thus eliminated, since the chain a is not wound on a drum, but is swivelled on arm a. When the operator desires to maintain the plow in raised position, switch 8 may be opened just when arm'a reaches top center. 285

It is apparent that in this position the load acts vertically through shaft 1', thus minimizing the forces onsaid shaft and elimi-. nating horizontal components and moments. Moreover,'the double worm reductiong'earl ingautomatically locks the plow in any desired position upon opening the switch 8, thus avoiding the use of the separate looking devices necessary when pinion gears are used. In short, the mechanism c0nstituting the present invention embodies simplicity, ruggedness, compactness and efficiency hitherto unattained in devices for the present purpose.

I claim as my invention: Fm

In combination with a vehicle, a snow plow, means to pivot the plow upon the vehicle, means to raise and lower the forward end of the plow comprising an arm, a connection between the arm and the plow, a unidirectionally operating electric motor j ournald in the ghQllslllgiand. dritfen-fby' the motor, a shaft journaled at its ends in the housing, a worm wheelon the "shaft en; gaging the first worm,'i wonm imztheislmfig for rotating ethe arm, a.;..housing,, a, worm v and a worm wheel secured to arm am} g g the woi'mx V This specification signed this 9th day of j 7 April, A. D. 1929. T 

